Seattle, Washington, Proposition 1, Housing Levy Property Tax Renewal Measure (November 2023)

Seattle Proposition 1
Election date November 7, 2023
Topic Local property tax
Status Approved
Type Referral

Seattle Proposition 1 was on the ballot as a referral in Seattle on November 7, 2023. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported renewing the Seattle Housing Levy property tax for seven years, from 2024 to 2031, at a rate of $45 per $100,000 of assessed value with a maximum of $360 per $100,000 of assessed value, and dedicating revenue to fund housing projects and services for low-income households, seniors, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness.

A "no" vote opposed renewing the Seattle Housing Levy property tax for seven years, from 2024 to 2031, at a rate of $45 per $100,000 of assessed value with a maximum of $360 per $100,000 of assessed value, and dedicating revenue to fund housing projects and services for low-income households, seniors, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness.

The tax levy was expected to generate $970,260,175 over seven years, with funds to be allocated as follows:

• $707,270,379 to fund new production of affordable rental housing including acquiring new buildings and improvements to existing buildings;
• $122,300,000 for supplementing rent paid by extremely low-income residents and wage stabilization for housing workers;
• $50,689,796 for assistance to low-income homeowners to maintain stable housing, emergency home repair grants;
• $30,000,000 for rent assistance and stabilization services for low-income individuals and families to prevent eviction, support housing stability, and address homelessness;
• $30,000,000 for short-term acquisition loans for cost-effective purchases of buildings or land for rental or homeownership development; and

$60,000,000 for administration of all programs.

Election results

Seattle Proposition 1
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		149,567	69.18%
No		66,634	30.82%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 1 was as follows:

“

If approved, this proposition would replace the expiring Seattle Housing Levy and fund housing and housing services for low-income households, including seniors, working families, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness.  It authorizes a seven-year property tax increase for collection beginning in 2024 at approximately $0.45/$1,000 in assessed value, up to a maximum of $3.60/$1,000 in assessed value. The 2024 regular levy amount would be used to compute limitations for 2025-2030 levies. Seniors, veterans, and others qualified under RCW. 84.36.381 are exempt. Should this proposition be approved?

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Background

Seattle voters have approved the Housing Levy six times since 1986.

Path to the ballot

The Seattle City Council voted 9-0 to place this measure on the ballot.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Washington

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Washington.

How to vote in Washington

Poll times

Washington is an all-mail voting state. Individuals who prefer to vote in person rather than by mail may do so at local voting centers, which are open for 18 days prior to the election. The voting period ends at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Contact your county elections department for more information on voting center locations and times.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Washington, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state, and at least 18 years of age.

One may register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at a county elections department. Registration must be completed eight days in advance if done by mail or online. In-person registration is available through Election Day.

In 2018, Washington lawmakers enacted legislation providing for same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration.

Automatic registration

Washington automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, health benefit exchange, and other state agencies approved by the governor.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Washington has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Washington allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

Washington law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Washington does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who knowingly provides false information or knowingly make a false declaration about their qualifications "will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both."

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The site Vote WA, run by the Washington Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Washington is an all-mail voting state and does not require voters to present photo identification (ID). Voters may choose to vote in person at a local voting center. According to state law RCW 29A.40.160, “The county auditor shall require any person desiring to vote at a voting center to either sign a ballot declaration or provide identification.”

The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2025. Click here for the Washington State Legislature's voter ID regulations to ensure you have the most current information.

• Driver's license
• State identification card
• Student identification card
• Tribal identification card
• Employer identification card

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2023
• Local sales tax on the ballot

Washington

• Washington 2023 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Washington
• King County, Washington

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas